There are many benefits of apple cider vinegar besides keeping things clean around the house. Apple cider vinegar is made from fresh ripe apples so you know it’s a Martha Stewart good thing!
Naturally fermented vinegar contains beta-carotene, pectins, potassium, sodium, magnesium, calcium, phosphorous, chlorine, sulphur, iron, and fluorine. Who knew?
Many people drink vinegar water to help clean out their arteries and veins and reduce cholesterol levels. You can use most any kind of vinegar in it, but using apple cider vinegar is the most beneficial.
Vinegar has been used by many people for thousands of years. Traces of it have been found in Egyptian urns that date back to around 3000 BC. Vinegar was invented around 2000 BC in China during the Xia Dynasty.
In the Bible, it is mentioned as something not very pleasant (Ps. 69:21, Prov. 25:20), but Boaz allows Ruth to "dip her piece of bread in the vinegar" (Ruth 2:14). Jesus was offered vinegar or sour wine while he was being crucified on the cross (Matthew 27:48; Mark 15:36). In Islamic traditions, vinegar is one of four favored condiments of the Prophet Muhammad, who called it a ‘blessed seasoning’. In 1864, Louis Pasteur showed that vinegar results from a natural fermentation process.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar is made by the fermentation of apple cider, which is made from apples. During the process, sugar in the apple cider is broken down by bacteria and yeast into alcohol, and then into vinegar. If you've ever had your apple cider 'go bad' on you, then you already have an idea of how apple cider vinegar is made! Your apple cider simply started fermenting by itself. Apple cider vinegar contains acetic acid (like other types of vinegar) and some lactic, citric, and malic acids.
Apple cider vinegar goes through an oxidation of ethanol by acetic acid bacteria. The ethanol may be derived from many different sources including wine, cider, beer, or fermented fruit juice, or it may be made synthetically from petroleum derivatives.
Commercial vinegar is produced either by a fast or slow fermentation processes. Slow methods generally are fermented naturally and slowly over the course of weeks or months, which is the best kind for you. The longer fermentation process allows for the accumulation of a nontoxic slime composed of acetic acid bacteria and a soluble cellulose, known as 'the mother' of vinegar. Its that cloudy stuff you see in vinegar that you always wondered about as a child!
Fast methods of fermentation add 'the mother' of vinegar (i.e. bacterial culture) to the vinegar. In fast production processes, vinegar may be produced in as little as 20 hours to three days. You won't get as many benefits of apple cider vinegar from this type of processing however.
The diets of our ancestors, (particularly of those civilizations who had people that lived very long lives), were rich in naturally fermented foods, which helped keep the number of pathogenic bacteria in check. That’s one of the primary reason’s that naturally fermented foods are so good for you. They increase the amount of probiotics in your body, which helps it work more efficiently.
The broad use of antibiotics and the over consumption of processed foods disrupted the natural balance that was once apparent in past societies. Naturally fermented foods are just one example of an age-old remedy that our ancestors used to promote good health and extend their lives. The natural fermentation process that vinegar undergoes, is one of the most advantageous benefits of apple cider vinegar.
Natural Benefits of Apple Cider Vinegar
Fruit pectins found in vinegar are a good source of fiber, which helps reduce bad cholesterol and regulate blood pressure.
Your body needs more calcium as you grow older. Apple cider vinegar helps extract calcium from the fruits, vegetables, or meats it's mixed with, which helps maintain strong bones.
Another of the benefits of apple cider vinegar is that it’s packed with potassium. Potassium deficiencies cause a variety of ailments including hair loss, brittle finger nails and teeth, and sinusitis. Deficiencies can also result in stunted growth.
Apple cider vinegar can also help restore alkaline acid balance in your body. Your blood is slightly alkaline, with a normal pH level of between 7.35 and 7.45. To be healthy, your diet should be slightly alkaline.
All foods, after being digested and metabolized, release either an acid or alkaline base into your blood. Foods that people tend to overeat, like grains, meat, and dairy products, are all acidic. Diets high in acid-producing foods cause low energy, excessive mucous production, infections, anxiety, irritability, headaches, sore throat, congestion, and allergic reactions. Acidic diets can also make you more prone to conditions such as arthritis and gout. Although vinegar is an acidic solution, the benefits of apple cider vinegar include causing an alkalizing effect in your body.
Gargle with apple cider vinegar every morning and then brush your teeth as usual. Vinegar helps remove stains, whitens teeth, and kills bacteria in your mouth and gums.
One of the many benefits of apple cider vinegar is it’s ability to kill bacteria or fungus. If you have foot fungus or stinky feet, try swabbing it on your feet once or twice a day and your condition should clear right up!
Apple cider vinegar helps break down fat, which can help you lose weight. Apple cider vinegar has also been used as a natural appetite suppressant. There is even an apple cider vinegar diet, which includes taking one to three teaspoons of apple cider vinegar or apple cider vinegar supplements before each meal.
Most people who consume apple cider vinegar routinely burn fat faster. One study in 2005 found that people who ate a piece of bread with a small amount of white vinegar felt more full and satisfied than those who ate the bread without it. It’s possible that vinegar may affect satiety by lowering the glycemic index of carbohydrates eaten at a meal.
Another of the outstanding benefits of apple cider vinegar is that it can help with joint pain. Apple cider vinegar contains malic acid which helps fight fungal and bacterial infections. Malic acid dissolves uric acid deposits that form around joints, which relieves joint pain over time.
Perhaps the most fascinating benefits of apple cider vinegar is its effect on lowering blood glucose levels, which may be beneficial to people with Diabetes.
Drinking apple cider vinegar routinely can help eliminate constipation, which is highly prevalent in our fast food society.
Your skin can also reap the benefits of apple cider vinegar. Its been known to clear up minor skin rashes and improve skin texture.
A home remedy for dandruff is to mix 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar with 1/4 cup water. Pour the mixture into a spray bottle and spritz on your hair and scalp. Wrap a towel around your head and leave on for 15 minutes to an hour and rinse out. Do this at least once to twice a week to clear up dandruff problems.
A 2006 study found that rats who were fed acetic acid (the main ingredient in vinegar) had significantly lower total cholesterol and triglyceride levels.
Apple cider vinegar in water has been used as a popular home remedy for acid reflux. Acid reflux is actually a symptom of insufficient stomach acids caused by aging, poor diet, overuse of antacids, NSAIDS, or prescription medications.
Apple cider vinegar can also be used for acne. A topical application is mixed with one part apple cider vinegar to three parts water and dabbed onto problem areas. Although some people swear by the concoction, caution should be used because there have been some reports of burns from using full-strength vinegar.
Other benefits of apple cider vinegar may help to lower blood pressure. The acetic acid found in vinegar may increase levels of nitric oxide, a compound in your body that relaxes blood vessels.
Apple cider vinegar help slow the growth of Candida, which helps with yeast infections.
There have been a few studies done to see if vinegar is able to kill cancer cells or at least slow their growth. One study showed that consuming vinegar regularly did lower the risk of esophageal cancer.
There are many benefits of apple cider vinegar water. Drinking a glass everyday can improve your health and prolong your life.
Morning Cleansing Drinks
2 Tablespoons Apple Cider Vinegar
2 Tablespoons Honey
Glass of Water
Mix together and drink first thing in the morning.
OR
1 cup warm water
2 tablespoons lemon juice
3 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
Both mixtures are a great way to start everyday. They cleanse your body and boost metabolism. There are also a number of apple cider diet supplements on the market today that are easy to swallow and give you an easy way to reap the benefits of apple cider vinegar.
Possible Contraindications
Undiluted apple cider vinegar may damage the esophagus or other parts of the digestive tract. Apple cider vinegar drinks may damage tooth enamel if sipped for prolonged periods of time.
One report linked excessive apple cider vinegar consumption with low blood potassium levels (hypokalemia) and low bone mineral density. People with osteoporosis, low potassium levels, and those taking potassium-lowering medications should not use it.
People who have allergies to apples should avoid apple cider vinegar.
Undiluted apple cider vinegar may cause skin burns.
Excessive use of apple cider vinegar has been found to cause damage to the stomach, duodenum, and liver in animals.
Possible Drug Interactions
Prolonged use of apple cider vinegar may lead to lower potassium levels, which could also increase the risk of toxicity of cardiac glycoside drugs such as Lanoxin, insulin, laxatives and diuretics such as Lasix.
Because apple cider vinegar may affect blood glucose and insulin levels, it could theoretically have an additive effect if combined with diabetes medications. Apple cider vinegar may also lower blood pressure, so it may have an additive effect if combined with high blood pressure medications.
The benefits of apple cider vinegar are apparent. Its a wonderful gift from nature that should be taken full advantage of in our modern day. Disease and medical conditions are prevalent in today's society, but good old fashioned apple cider vinegar can help many of them disappear with regular consumption. Its no real mystery why apple cider vinegar is known as the 'Wonder Drug'.
